Chandler Still On Heat's Radar

With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the rumors are increasing, and several possible deals involve Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler.

Chandler has been rumored in possible trades since December, when Sports Illustrated mentioned Chandler in a possible exchange for the Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace. The latest rumor has Chandler going to the Miami Heat in exchange for power forward Shawn Marion, whose $17.1 million contract expires at the end of this season.

The only reason the Hornets would consider trading Chandler is because they might not be able to re-sign him when he becomes a free agent after the 2009-10 season.

Chandler will make $11.8 million next season, and when that's combined with the $14.2 million that Peja Stojakovic will earn along with the first year of Chris Paul's three-year extension kicking in ($13.7 million) and David West's $9 million, the Hornets' payroll for next season is already projected to be at $76 million.

That would put them over the luxury tax threshold, which is estimated to be set between $72 million to $73 million for the 2009-10 season. The tax kicks in at $71.1 million this season -- the Hornets' combined current payroll is $67.8 million.

It appears the Hornets are more likely to move a player such as backup guard Morris Peterson or backup center Melvin Ely, who has an expiring contract, before the Feb. 19 trade deadline than break up their core group before seeing how far they could advance in the playoffs.

Chandler would attract more attention because he has one year remaining on his current deal after this season and he's only 26. Like last season, the Hornets' most pressing need is improving their bench.

"But I do suspect starting this week into next week, the phone lines are probably going to be ringing a lot more by GMs in this league. I'm sure Jeff is going to get a lot, and he's going to give a lot. The one thing you want to do is find out what the teams are willing to do. So you always want to inquire about certain things that you think can make you a better basketball team. I know he's been getting calls."

Read More... Source: New Orleans Times Picayune Blog